"There may actually be two shape-shifters at work here--one as a device in the story, and one in the way science is transformed under the author's hands into a benevolent, almost moral force for good that affirms human worth."
Set in Iceland in the nineteenth century, "Skugga-Baldur" involves a young woman with Down syndrome and two men in her life: Fridrik B. Fridjonsson, a man of science who befriends and values her; and the local minister, the Reverend Baldur Skuggason who treats her with contempt, as though she is less than human. As the book ends, Fridjonsson is writing a letter to a friend in Denmark, explaining the sad history of his Down syndrome friend and her treatment at the hands of Skuggason.He signs that letter,"Your affectionate friend and confidant on the limits of 'the habitable world.'"
to be continued
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I checked the reviews of this book and they are very good. I look forward to more of this story.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that the author, Sjön seems to be a good friend and contemporary of the entertainer Björk. I have long been fascinated with her style. I am not sure what to even call her style of music. Sjön has written several of the lyrics of Bjork's songs. Here is one of them.
Bachelorette (Lyrics by sjön)
i'm a fountain of blood (my love)
in the shape of a girl
you're the bird on the brim (my love)
hypnotized by the whirl
drink me - make me real (my love)
wet your beak in the stream
the game we're playing is life (my love)
love is a two way dream
leave me now - return tonight
the tide will show you the way
forget my name go astray
killer whale trapped in a bay
(the ocean miles away)
i'm a path of cinders (my love)
burning under your feet
you're the one who walks me (my love)
i'm your one way street
i'm a tree that grows hearts (my love)
one for each that you take
your the ground i feed on (my love)
we're circle noone can break
leave me now - return tonight
the tide will show you the way
forget my name go astray
killer whale trapped in a bay
(the ocean miles away)
i'm a whisper in water (my love)
a secret for you to hear
you are the one who grows distant (my love)
when i beckon you near
life is a necklace of fears (my love)
your uncried tears on a string
our love will untie them - come here (my love)
loving me is the easiest thing